An Autobiography · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in An Autobiography by Theodore Roosevelt.
Theodore Roosevelt
major
Also known as Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Colonel Roosevelt, President Theodore Roosevelt, President Roosevelt, Roosevelt, Mr. Roosevelt, Dear Mr. Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt Sagamore Hill, one Theodore Roosevelt, young Theodore Roosevelt, Dear Col. Roosevelt, Dear Theodore
Autobiographer and central figure; recounts his political and military career.
Narrator (I)
major
Also known as Unknown, yourself, I—both, myself, your, I., mine
First-person narrator, likely Roosevelt himself, driving the autobiographical account.
Woodrow Wilson
supporting
Also known as Mr. Woodrow Wilson, Mr. Wilson, Wilson, President, President Wilson
Political figure and later President; interacts with Roosevelt's narrative.
Senator Platt
supporting
Also known as Senator Platt, Meanwhile Senator Platt, Senator O. H. Platt, Platt, Mr. Platt
Key political opponent and New York state senator during Roosevelt's governorship.
Senator Quay
supporting
Also known as Senator Quay, Quay
Influential Pennsylvania senator and political boss in Roosevelt's era.
Mike Costello
supporting
Also known as Mike Costello, Mike, Costello
Friend and associate from Roosevelt's early political and police days.
Leonard Wood
supporting
Also known as General Wood, Major-General Leonard Wood, Leonard Wood, Wood, Accordingly Wood, Colonel Wood, Leonard Wood Major-General
Military commander and close colleague in the Rough Riders and later career.
Senator Hanna
supporting
Also known as Senator Hanna, The Senator
Prominent Republican senator and political strategist during Roosevelt's rise.
Joe Murray
supporting
Also known as Joe Murray, Joe, Joseph Murray
Early political mentor and ally in New York state assembly.
Mr. Grosvenor
supporting
Also known as Mr. Grosvenor
Congressman and political figure involved in Roosevelt's legislative battles.
Congress
supporting
Also known as Congress
Legislative body frequently referenced in political and policy contexts.
Mr. Gorman
supporting
Also known as Mr. Gorman, Apparently Mr. Gorman
Senator and political adversary in tariff and policy debates.
Hell Roaring Bill Jones
supporting
Also known as Hell Roaring Bill Jones, Bill Jones, Bill
Cowboy and ranch hand from Roosevelt's Dakota days.
Richard Parr
minor
Also known as Richard Parr, Parr
Associate in New York police and political circles.
Yankee Sullivan
minor
Also known as Yankee Sullivan, The Yankee
Notorious boxer and figure in New York's underworld.
William Jennings Bryan
supporting
Also known as Mr. Bryan, Bryan
Political rival and presidential candidate during Roosevelt's era.
Admiral Dewey
minor
Also known as Dewey, Admiral Dewey
Naval hero of the Spanish-American War and later political figure.
Mr. Quigg
minor
Also known as Mr. Quigg, Quigg
Political journalist and associate in New York politics.
Abraham Lincoln
minor
Also known as Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln
Historical president referenced as a model and touchstone.
George W. Perkins
supporting
Also known as Mr. George W. Perkins, Mr. Perkins, Perkins, George W. Perkins
Businessman and political ally in progressive reforms.
General Shafter
minor
Also known as General Shafter
Commanding general in the Spanish-American War campaign.
Seth Bullock
minor
Also known as Seth Bullock, Seth
Sheriff and friend from Roosevelt's Dakota Territory days.
King Calahan
minor
Also known as King” Calahan, Calahan
Cowboy and ranch hand in the Dakota Badlands.
Jacob Riis
supporting
Also known as Jacob Riis, Jake Riis
Reformer and journalist who worked with Roosevelt on police reform.
Mr. Morton
minor
Also known as Mr. Morton
Political figure and governor of New York during Roosevelt's career.
Sampson
minor
Also known as Sampson, Brigadier-General Sam Young, General Young
Naval officer in the Spanish-American War.
Ben Butler
minor
Also known as Ben Butler, Ben
Civil War general and political figure referenced in context.
Billy the Kid
minor
Also known as Billy the Kid, Bill
Outlaw mentioned in relation to Western lawlessness.
Secretary Alger
minor
Also known as Secretary Alger of the War Department, Alger, Secretary Alger, General Alger, R. A. Alger
Secretary of War during the Spanish-American War.
Senator Fulton
minor
Also known as Senator Fulton, Fulton
Oregon senator involved in political negotiations.
Sir Horace Plunkett
minor
Also known as Sir Horace Plunkett, Plunkett, Dear Sir
Irish agricultural reformer and correspondent with Roosevelt.
Big Tim Sullivan
minor
Also known as Big Tim Sullivan, Big Tim
Tammany Hall politician and New York state senator.
Robert J. Wynne
minor
Also known as Robert J. Wynne
Postmaster General under Roosevelt.
Sylvane Ferris
minor
Also known as Sylvane, Sylvane Ferris, the rescued Sylvane
Cowboy and ranch manager in Dakota Territory.
Snyder
minor
Also known as Snyder
Cowboy and ranch hand in the Badlands.
Henry Cabot Lodge
supporting
Also known as H. C. Lodge, Senator H. C. Lodge, Senator Lodge, Lodge
Close friend and fellow senator from Massachusetts.
Jack Greenway
minor
Also known as Jack Greenway, Greenway, Jack
Rough Rider and later mining engineer.
Charles J. Bonaparte
minor
Also known as Bonaparte, Hon. Charles J. Bonaparte Attorney-General, Hon., Charles J. Bonaparte, Mr. Bonaparte, Theodore Roosevelt Mr. Bonaparte
Attorney General and Secretary of the Navy under Roosevelt.
John Hay
minor
Also known as John Hay
Secretary of State under Roosevelt and McKinley.
William Loeb Jr.
supporting
Also known as William Loeb , Jr., Loeb, Mr. Loeb
Roosevelt's personal secretary and close aide.
James Bryce
minor
Also known as Mr. Bryce
British ambassador and author, friend of Roosevelt.
John Burroughs
minor
Also known as John Burroughs
Naturalist and writer who accompanied Roosevelt on trips.
Mr. McCall
minor
Also known as Mr. McCall
Massachusetts governor and political ally.
James R. Garfield
minor
Also known as James Garfield, Jim, Garfield, Mr. Garfield, James R. Garfield, Mr. James R. Garfield
Secretary of the Interior under Roosevelt.
Gifford Pinchot
supporting
Also known as Gifford Pinchot, Pinchot
Chief of the Forest Service and conservationist.
William McKinley
supporting
Also known as President McKinley, McKinley, President, Mr. McKinley
President before Roosevelt; his assassination elevated Roosevelt.
Edward J. Bourke
minor
Also known as Edward J. Bourke, Bourke
New York police officer and associate.
Pete Kelly
minor
Also known as Pete Kelly, Peter Kelly, Kelly
Cowboy and ranch hand in Dakota.
George Meyer
minor
Also known as George Meyer, Meyer
Postmaster General and later Secretary of the Navy.
Jap Hunt
minor
Also known as Jap Hunt, Jap
Cowboy and ranch hand in the Badlands.
Bixby
minor
Also known as Bixby
Cowboy and ranch hand in Dakota Territory.
General Sumner
minor
Also known as Sumner, Brigadier-General Sam Sumner, General Sumner
Cavalry officer in the Spanish-American War.
Prouty
minor
Also known as Prouty, Mr. Prouty
Commissioner of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Grover Cleveland
minor
Also known as Grover Cleveland, President Cleveland, President, Ex-President Cleveland, ex-President Cleveland
Former president and political opponent of Roosevelt.
Senator Cushman K. Davis
minor
Also known as Senator Cushman K. Davis, Senator Davis
Minnesota senator and chairman of Foreign Relations.
Moyer
minor
Also known as Moyer, Messrs. Moyer
Labor leader in the Western Federation of Miners.
Ulysses S. Grant
minor
Also known as General Grant, the real General Grant, Grant, pony Grant
Civil War general and president, referenced as a historical figure.
James G. Blaine
minor
Also known as Mr. Blaine, Blaine
Republican statesman and presidential candidate.
Richard Croker
minor
Also known as Mr. Croker, Croker
Tammany Hall boss and political adversary.
Haywood
minor
Also known as Messrs. Haywood, Haywood
Labor leader in the Western Federation of Miners.
Morse
minor
Also known as Morse
Political figure in New York state politics.
Maroquin
minor
Also known as J. M. Maroquin Vice President, Maroquin, President Maroquin
Colombian vice president during Panama Canal negotiations.
General Reyes
minor
Also known as General Reyes of Colombia, Colombia
Colombian general and diplomat in canal talks.
Mayne Reid
minor
Also known as Mayne Reid, Reid
Author of adventure books that inspired young Roosevelt.
Mike Donovan
minor
Also known as Take Mike Donovan, Mike
Boxer and friend of Roosevelt.
Mr. Odell
minor
Also known as Mr. Odell, Odell
New York governor and political figure.
John Muir
minor
Also known as John Muir
Naturalist and conservationist who camped with Roosevelt.
William Howard Taft
supporting
Also known as Mr. Taft
Secretary of War and later President, Roosevelt's successor.
Herbert Knox Smith
minor
Also known as Herbert Knox Smith, Mr. Smith, Mr. Knox, Mr. Herbert Knox Smith
Commissioner of Corporations under Roosevelt.
Klaes Martensen van Roosevelt
minor
Also known as Klaes Martensen van Roosevelt, Roosevelt
Early ancestor of Theodore Roosevelt mentioned in genealogy.
George William Curtis
minor
Also known as George William Curtis, Curtis, Billy O'Neill
Editor and civil service reform advocate.
August Belmont
minor
Also known as August Belmont
Financier and political figure in New York.
Mayor Chapin
minor
Also known as Mayor Chapin, Chapin, The Mayor
Mayor of New York City during Roosevelt's police tenure.
Costigan
minor
Also known as Costigan, Mr. Costigan
Political figure in New York state.
Mrs. Roosevelt
minor
Also known as Mrs. Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt's wife, mentioned in domestic contexts.
General Lawton
minor
Also known as Lawton, General Lawton
Army general in the Spanish-American War.
Lieutenant A. L. Mills
minor
Also known as Lieutenants A. L. Mills, Mills
Officer in the Rough Riders regiment.
F. H. Newell
minor
Also known as Newell, F. H. Newell, Mr. F. H. Newell, Mr. Newell, Frederick Hayes Newell
Chief of the Reclamation Service under Roosevelt.
Charles R. Heike
minor
Also known as Charles R. Heike, Heike
Cowboy and ranch hand in Dakota.
Professor Simkhovitch
minor
Also known as Professor Simkhovitch
Academic and friend of Roosevelt.
